DARE-ICAR Global Reach

Abstract

Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) was created in the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India in the year 1973 and was mandated under the assigned business rules to address the international cooperation pertaining to all aspects of agricultural research and education. DARE has been implementing this largely through its premier autonomous organization, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). ICAR is the apex research organization of the National Agricultural Research and Education (NARES) system of the country with a high standing amongst international agricultural research organizations. Since its inception in 1929, the Council has been spearheading agricultural research, education and frontline extension activities for ensuring food and nutritional security, climate resilience and enhanced farmers’ income in the country. Indian agriculture represents a huge diversity of agro-climatic conditions. The country has been classified into 128 agro-climatic zones based on land use, soil type, irrigation, amount of rainfall received etc. In order to address the problems and capitalize on the prospects of each zone, ICAR conducts location and region specific research and technology generation. ICAR technologies have significantly contributed to the country’s food basket in the past leading to mitigation of deficiency and continue enabling food self-sufficiency sustainably. In the context of emerging challenges, the Council is committed to meeting the changing needs of all the stakeholders including farmers, students, industry, entrepreneurs and consumers at large. Many other countries have similar agroclimatic diversity as we have in India. Therefore, we feel that ICAR technologies can be shared to benefit other countries, as well. Besides, training programs organized by the Council can be customized for the needs of the farmers, students, scientists and other stakeholders from other countries. Learning however is a two-way process. The experience, expertise and know-how available with other countries can be taken advantage of through appropriate mechanism based on mutual interest. Keeping this in view, DARE/ICAR has developed partnerships with regional organizations, country-specific collaborations, and research and capacity building programs with Universities/Institutions of global repute. This document depicts these efforts focusing on recent activities highlighting other strengths in different areas pertaining to agriculture.